Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of May 16, 2019 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regularly scheduled meeting at 8:00 AM on Thursday, May 16, 2019 in the Committee Room of the Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, NJ. Call to Order by Chairman Gene Cracovia. Reading of the Sunshine Law. Members present: Alan Andreas, Gene Cracovia, Judy Honohan, Vince Licari, Stephen Miller, Nancy Bruce, Members absent: Brian Monaghan, Alice Wade, Tom Salaki Liaisons present: Ken O’Brien (DPW), Paul Allocco (Parks), Absent: Maureen Byrne (Council), Joan Maccari (Environmental), Borough Staff present: Frank Russo, Lisa Ellis Guest: Lisa Jordan, Director Spatial Data Center, Drew University Minutes: April 18, 2019 minutes approved as submitted Public contacts/correspondence: No major concerns. A Pomeroy resident has voiced concern about the ground cover invasion in the library woods. After evaluation no action is needed. Council Liaison: No report Borough Tree Status: Contacts/removals/pruning: There are several planting spaces on Lathrop which could be considered for any fall planting the budget would allow. Spring tree plantings: 75 to 80 trees have been delivered. Two were rejected and Cerbo has been unable to provide the yellowwood trees but is still working to provide them. There was a lack of transparency with the delivery of requested species. Planting will begin soon. Financial Report: Budget increase for 2019 has contingency funds for tree work necessitated by new storm damage and for pruning to height, trees on roads scheduled for paving in 2019 in addition to funds for tree replacement on Main St. corridor. Arbor Pro has submitted a bill for program maintenance. 2019 budget $130,500 Expended April Honor Tree $ Tree King $1,740 Total expended YTD $11,005 Encumbered 2019 $92,340 Unexpended 2019 $119,495 Remaining Balance $27,155 TCC (Technical Coordinating Committee): Alan is working on three new cases. Work at a bank on Waverly involves no trees. 7 Giralda Farms has a tree needing protection. 99 Madison Ave. is a subdivision with one new home accessed from Morris. The existing home will receive a new two-car garage with a carport for a third garage. Parks Advisory Committee: Grandmothers and cats are doing battle over the sand box at Dodge Field playground. A solution is being explored. The swings need under mulching, picnic tables are deteriorated and trash cans should be added at curbside (outside the fence). Friends of Madison Shade Trees (FMST): The group represented STMB at the Green Fair held on April 27 at the library. They provided instruction and materials to make pinecone bird feeders. Tree seedlings from the Drew event were given away. Up to $2000 per year for three years will be available for the development of the pollinator garden at MRC. Heat Island Study of Madison: Lisa Jordan presented the results of a thermal satellite imaging survey including our area. Madison has three heat islands: Stop and Shop and its parking lot, the large artificial turf field at MRC, and the roof of an underground parking structure in Giralda Farms. Old/New Business: Arbor Day/May Day: Very successful and well supported by the borough. Any tree seedlings remaining were distributed. MRC project and dog park development are progressing with only Council approval needed for Open Space money to help with each. NJ tree seedlings (525) were distributed for free at Drew University, Green Fair and Arbor Day. DDC was included in the development of plans for the replacement of the failing (due to age) trees on Waverly. Sidewalk trees will once again be locusts, elms will be in the center island. Yet to be determined is tree well size and whether there will be well covers for protection. Action Items:  Vince will follow up with Ray Codey regarding his decision to override DPW and STMB decision to plant a tree at 114 Central Ave.  Steve will continue to work with DPW staff to assure tree removals are updated in Arbor Pro. Submitted by Judy Honohan